Apparatus for separating plant flower from stalk and method of separating flower from stalk

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for separating plant flowers from stalks by means of a lateral rotating tube having a plurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to and extending radially outward from the tube. The apparatus may include a platform and a frame supporting the tube above the platform to accommodate plants held between the platform and the tube so that when the tube is rotating, the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plants and cause the flowers to brush off at and separate from the stalks. The frame further supports a housing to form a contained space, including a back wall, side walls and a hood to direct the flow of flowers after separation from the stalks. The back wall is positioned a distance away from the platform to allow separated flower and stalk to be eliminated from the apparatus. The hood extends above and over the tube, having a front wall extending about or below a central axis of the tube. A power system provides rotational power to the tube.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed technology generally relates to an apparatus forseparating harvested plant flower from its stalk, including hemp, hopand other flowering plants, and further relates to a method forseparating plant flower from stalk.

Certain uses of hemp, hop and other flowering plants requires theseparation of the flower or bud from the stalks or stems of the plant,which can be time consuming and expensive. Traditionally, flower isseparated from the stalks by hand, which is labor intensive, or is cutfrom the stalk, which leaves a portion of the stem with the separatedflower. Further, current mechanized processes can be costly or lead topoor separation, with the inclusion of a high percentage of stalkremaining with the flower. As such, there is a need for a new andimproved apparatus which is more efficient, inexpensive to produce anduse, and which can effectively and gently separate flower from plantstalks.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The disclosed technology presents an inexpensive, highly efficient andeffective apparatus for gently separating plant flower from stalk.Similarly, the disclosed technology presents a novel method forseparating plant flower from stalk. Other aspects, features, andadvantages of the disclosed technology will become apparent withfollowing disclosure.

Generally, the apparatus of the disclosed technology includes one ormore lateral, rotatable tubes having a plurality of flexible, elongatedmembers secured about and extending radially from the wall of the tube.For purposes of this disclosure, ‘lateral’ means that the axis ofrotation of the rotatable tube(s) is(are) positioned parallel with theground surface. A frame is provided to support the tube(s), and includesa housing positioned about the tube(s) to capture flower as it isseparated from stalk. The tube(s) is(are) rotated by means of a motor orother power source, and with such rotation the elongated members gentlybrush against the plant and thereby remove flower from the stalk ofplants positioned within the apparatus.

The apparatus may further include a platform, positioned below the tubeand supported by the frame, upon which the plants may be guided and/orsupported during the separation process, and capturing some of theflower as it is separated from the stalk.

The disclosed technology further includes a method for removing flowerfrom stalk, using a plurality of flexible, elongated members securedabout and extending from the wall of a rotatable tube, wherein harvestedplants are positioned near the tube such that as the members rotate, theend portions thereof contact the plant, gently brushing off the flowersfrom the stalk.

DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages are apparent from the following detaileddescription, taken in combination with the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thedisclosed technology, with the hood of the housing removed to show theinternal mechanisms of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a peripheral view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thedisclosed technology, showing in particular the front of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is another peripheral view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, showingin particular the rear of the apparatus with the side wall removed;

FIG. 4 is a peripheral view of another embodiment of the apparatus ofthe disclosed technology, showing in particular the rear of theapparatus, with a vacuum system installed;

FIG. 5 is a peripheral view of another embodiment of the apparatus ofthe disclosed technology, with the hood removed to show the internalmechanisms of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes an extensionramp and a container;

FIG. 6 is a back view of another embodiment of the apparatus of thedisclosed technology, with the hood removed to show the internalmechanisms of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a conveyorsystem to remove separated flower from the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the apparatus of thedisclosed technology, with the hood removed to show the internalmechanisms of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a conveyorsystem, an extension ramp and a container;

FIG. 8A shows a portion of an embodiment of the tube of the apparatus ofthe disclosed technology;

FIG. 8B shows an embodiment of an elongated member of the apparatus ofthe disclosed technology;

FIG. 8C shows an embodiment of the tube of the disclosed technology,with a row of elongated members;

FIG. 8D shows an embodiment of a portion of the elongated members of theapparatus of the disclosed technology, demonstrating the flexibility ofthe elongated member (in this illustration by means of a finger);

FIG. 8E shows an embodiment of a portion of the elongated member of thedisclosed technology;

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the apparatus of the disclosedtechnology, with two tubes positioned on the frame, with the housingremoved; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-7 and 9, the disclosedtechnology regards an apparatus for gently and efficiently separatingplant flowers from stalks, the apparatus including one or morerotatable, lateral tubes 3 having a plurality of elongated members 4extending radially from the outer surface of the tube. A feed table orplatform 2 may be positioned below the tube to support plants during theseparation process, capturing and directing the flow of flower out ofthe apparatus. A power system 5 is coupled with the apparatus to providerotational movement to the tube(s). Further, a frame 1 supports theplatform 2, if any, and the tube(s) 3, and may further support the powersystem 5.

The frame 1 and platform 2 may be made of metal, wood, plastics,composites, or any other suitable material. The tube 3 can also be madeof metal, wood, plastics, composites, or any other suitable material,although an embodiment would have the tube be made of PVC or a similarlysuitable material through which holes may be easily drilled for purposesof supporting the elongated members.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 8A and 8C, the lateral tube 3 may bedefined by a cylindrical wall 3W affixed to an axle 3A. As shown inFIGS. 1-3, 5-7, 8C and 9, the elongated members 4 are affixed to andextend radially from this cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall and theaxle may be constructed as a single unit, or as two distinct yet coupledelements. Suitable tubes include 6″ diameter, 6′ long PVC pipe. The axlemay be a 1″ diameter steel shaft, with an 82″ length. The diameter andlength of the axle may differ for differently sized tubes.

In an exemplary embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, thetube 3 may be affixed to the axle 3A by means of a pair of end caps 3Csecured at or near each end of the tube. In this embodiment, each caphas a central aperture 3C1 profiled to engagingly receive the axle, theaxle having a protrusion 3C2 along at least a portion of its length toengage with the central aperture of at least one of the caps. The capsmay be made from aluminum or other suitable materials, and may be largerin circumference than the tube, with a honed channel on the interiorsurface sized and shaped to tightly receive an end of the tube 3. Tofurther secure the caps to the tube, one or more all-thread rods 3R maybe positioned within and along the length of the tube, securing the capsat each end thereof through additional apertures accommodating theall-thread rods, and inhibiting rotation of the axle independent of thetube. Hex nuts may be threaded to the rod on the exterior of the cap,and nylon locknuts may be threaded on the interior side of the cap.Suitable all-thread rods are longer than the tubing, such as for example6′4″ long for 6′ tubing, so that the ends thereof may be secured withthe nuts.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, the cylindrical wall of the tube includes aplurality of apertures 3A, each aperture being sized to receive andsecure an end of a flexible, elongated members. Referring now to FIGS.8B and 8C, the elongated members may include a shaft 41, a collar 42, abase head 43, and at least one raised facial surface F. The elongatedmembers 4 may be spaced in rows, in alternating positions, or in otherpatterns, on a tube 3.

In many embodiments of the present invention, elongated members 4 aremade of a resilient yet flexible material, including rubber, rubber-likematerials, plastics, and composites. Ideally the elongated member bendswhen it comes in to contact with the plant, as reflected in FIG. 8D,enhancing the brushing effect of the member, and increasing the rate ofremoval of flower from stalk.

As shown in the Figures, each elongated member is removably secured tothe tube at the apertures 3A, in such a manner that the base head 43would be positioned within the vacuous interior of the tube, the collar42 positioned at the aperture, and the shaft 41 of the elongated memberextending radially outward from the tube wall 3W. In this configuration,the circumference of the collar is slightly smaller than thecircumference of the corresponding aperture 3A in the tube wall, and thecircumference of the base head is greater than the aperture, so that thebase head is secured behind the aperture, in the interior of the tube.Likewise, the circumference of the upper end of the shaft is greaterthan the circumference of the aperture, to secure the elongated memberto the tube, particularly as it is rotating in operation. This upper endof the shaft should be made from a flexible material to allow it todeform while passing through the aperture, and regain its shape when theshaft is positioned wholly outside of the tube wall. The depth of thecollar may be about the same as the thickness of the tube wall, toinhibit significant rotation and movement of the installed member withinthe aperture. For ease of installation of the elongated members andmaintenance of the apparatus, the circumference of the remaining lengthof the shaft 41 is less than the circumference of the aperture 3A of thetube, so that most of the shaft may pass through the aperture withoutdeformation. Exemplary diameters of the shaft range between ½″ to ⅜″;larger diameter shafts may more efficiently deflower drier or morefibrous plants.

In operation, the raised facial surface F of the elongated membersbrushes against the plant to cause the flower to separate from thestalk. The raised facial surface of the elongated member may includesurface textures such as waffles, cross hatches, or other designs orpatterns. In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIGS. 8A-E, at leastpart of the raised facial surface of the elongated member includes aseries of perpendicular rows so that when the elongated member bends asit comes into contact with the plant, the rows pinch the flower and thestalk, thereby increasing the rate and efficiency of separation. In someembodiments the distance between these perpendicular rows decreases at apoint of bending, such as at 3-4″ from the end of a 10-11″ shaft(acknowledging that the point of bending can vary depending on thelength of the shaft).

The elongated members are made of a resilient yet flexible material,such as rubber, rubber-like materials, plastics, and composites, andcombinations thereof. In other embodiments of the disclosed technology,the tapered shaft 41 of the elongated member may also include more rigidmaterials, such as metal or wire, which may increase efficiency of theapparatus when the plant is “green” or “undried”, having a highermoisture content as hereinafter described. Poultry fingers, such as 10″picking fingers from Kent Company, or those provided in U.S. Pat. No.3,108,317, are particularly suited to be used as elongated members ofthe disclosed technology. The shaft of the elongated members may be4″-12″ long, or longer.

After harvest, the plants begin to lose moisture; overnight they regainsome of this moisture. For example, at harvest a hemp plant may have 17%or more moisture; during the day this may decrease to 8-12%, regainingsome of this moisture overnight depending on the moisture in the air.Over several days, the plant may decrease to 5% moisture or lower. Yourinventors have found that shorter elongated members (e.g., 5″-7″) aremore efficient in removing flower from hemp plants with higher moisture(16% or more). Your inventors have also found that increasing therotational speed of the tube more efficiently removes flower from hempplants with this higher moisture content.

In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus includes apair of rotating tubes 3 with elongated members in the configurationhereinabove described, the tubes being positioned one above the otherwithin the housing. In such a configuration, the platform may beeliminated. In these embodiments, the plants are inserted between therotating tubes, and the flowers are removed therefrom without having torotate the plants within the apparatus. Further, the back of the housingmay extend below both of the rotating tubes to contain flower within thehousing. Similarly, a front housing panel 25 may also be provided inthese dual tube embodiments, extending from the axle of the lower tubeto about a foot below the ends of the elongated members affixed to thetube, to capture flower removed from the stalks by the lower rotatingtube. As shown in FIG. 9, this additional front housing panel may becurved to facilitate removal of flower from the apparatus and controlair flow. Caution should be taken so that when the tubes are rotatingsimultaneously, the elongated members of one of the tubes do notsignificantly interfere with the elongated members of the other tube.This can be accomplished by varying the spacing of the elongated memberson each tube, or the positioning of the tubes relative to each other, sothat the elongated members on each tube generally are positioned withinthe voids between the elongated members of the other tube when the tubesare rotating on the apparatus.

Rotation of the tube or tubes 3 is provided and controlled by a powersystem 5, such as a motor. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the power systemmay have a chain or belt drive 51 which leads from the motor to thetube's axle 3A, allowing the motor to be positioned lower on the frame.In some embodiments, the power system may also include a variablefrequency drive coupled with the motor, with a user interface 52allowing the user to select from variable speeds of rotation for thetube(s). Decreasing the speed of the tube can efficiently remove flowerfrom dried plants, and increasing the speed of the tube allows forgreater separation of flower from plants having a higher level ofmoisture. Rotational speed may range from 8-20 Hz, although higher orlower speeds may be used based upon the humidity and fibrous nature ofthe plant. The rotation of the tube may be clockwise, orcounterclockwise; clockwise rotation will cause the flower afterseparation to be captured within the back of the housing as hereinafterdescribed. In a dual tube apparatus, one tube may rotate clockwise (forexample, the upper tube), while the other tube rotates counterclockwise, thereby controlling flow of flower in the apparatus.Exemplary motors include a 220 Volt, 3 phase, 2-horsepower motor with a220 single phase variable frequency drive; or a 100/115 Volt motor witha horsepower between ½ and 2, and a direct current (DC) motor speedcontrol.

As hereinabove discussed and shown in the Figures, the apparatus mayinclude a frame 1 to support the tube 3 (specifically, the tube axle 3A,in a manner to allow the rotation of the same) above the platform 2, ifany; or to support two tubes in like manner, such as shown in FIG. 9. Insome embodiments, the frame generally is a modified sawhorse, comprisingtwo front legs 231 and two back legs 232 extending angularly orsemi-angularly from a pair of primary vertical shafts 233, with the backlegs attached to the vertical shaft at a position above the attachmentposition of the front leg to the vertical shaft. The lower end of thelegs forming the sides of the frame are affixed to one of at least apair of horizontal support structures 234. In some embodiments, thehorizontal support structures are lifted off the ground by means of feet235, positioned at each bottom corner of the frame. In addition oralternatively, the horizontal support structures may be lifted off theground by means of one or more casters, or height adjustable casters,allowing the height of the frame to be adjusted relative to a user, andfurther facilitating the transportation of the apparatus. Affixed to andbetween the vertical shafts are one or more cross bars 236, extendingthe width of the sawhorse. Other support bars between the sides of theframe and otherwise may be provided to support the frame, the tube(s),the platform, the power system and its components, and/or otherapparatus components.

In some embodiments the platform 2 is supported by the frame 1 anadjustable distance below the tube 3, adjusting to accommodate plantsheld between the platform and the tube so that when the tube isrotating, the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plantspositioned against the platform, and cause the flowers to brush off thestalks. The position of the platform relative to the tube may beadjusted by means of one or more hinge bars 22, facilitating vertical,horizontal and/or rotational adjustment of the platform, and in any ofthe resulting positions may be described as being within one of manypossible planes. The hinge bars may be made from ¼″ steel, movablysecured to the frame and the platform by means of bolts and washerssecured within circular or elongated apertures on the bars.Alternatively or in addition, the tube may be movably positioned on theframe, allowing vertical adjustment thereof. Adjusting the space betweenthe tube and the platform creates a larger opening for use with largerplants, or a smaller opening to use with smaller plants. Adjusting theangle of the platform so that it has a slope descending towards the backof the apparatus assists in directing the flower after it has beenseparated from the stalks of the plant. In some positions the distancebetween the end of the elongated members as they rotate with the tubeand the platform may be between about 10-14″, or about 12″, depending onthe size of the plants.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 5-7, anextension ramp 21 is angularly affixed to the back end of the platform,positioned at a negative angle of about 20-30 degrees relative to theplane of the platform. A portion of the extension ramp may include aplurality of apertures 211, sized to allow flowers to fall through theapertures as the flowers and stems traverse the ramp. The apertures maybe between about 1.5″-3″ in diameter, or 2″ in diameter. The aperturesmay be round or diamond shaped, or otherwise shaped to allow flowers topass therethrough.

The frame 1 further supports a housing about the tube, including a backwall 11, opposing side walls 12 and a hood 13 to contain and direct theflow of flowers after separation from the stalks. The back wall 11 ispositioned a distance away from the platform to allow separated flowerand stalk to be eliminated from the apparatus through the gap betweenthe back wall and the platform. In the embodiments shown, the back wallextends below the lowest position the platform may assume by adjustment,to direct the flow of flower from the apparatus regardless of theplatform position. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 3, an openchute extends from the back of the apparatus and further directs theflow of flowers from the apparatus. When a 6″ tube is used, the distancefrom the center of the drum to the back wall may be between 16-24″, or18¼″, leaving sufficient space for the elongated members to rotatewithin the housing and flower to traverse the same, without crushing theflower.

The hood 13 of the housing extends from the back wall 11 to the front ofthe apparatus, with a front wall 13A forming the front of the hood andextending to about or below the axle of the tube. In an embodiment, thefront wall extends about 1″ below the axle of the tube.

Further, as the elongated members rotate quickly with the tube, airpressure increases about the elongated members. Therefore, a curved airshield 14 may be positioned within the hood to focus this air flowwithin the housing and direct the flow of flowers to the housing areabehind the tube. As shown in FIG. 3, this air shield may extend from themiddle of the hood (aligned with the axle of the tube) to the back wall,leaving about a 3-5″ gap between the air shield and the back wall. In anembodiment, the first end of the air shield may be affixed to the hoodusing bolts or other affixation means, and the second end may be affixedto the back wall by means of square tubing. The air shield may bepositioned so that when the tube is rotating, there is a gap between theends of the elongated members and the air shield of between about 2-6″or more, or in some embodiments 2½″.

A removable liner may be secured within the hood or air shield tocapture airborne particles, including plant terpenes, essential oils andflavonoids, which may be released during the separation process of thedisclosed technology. The liner may be made out of a material such ascoffee filter paper or cotton fabric, allowing the captured oil andparticles to be extracted therefrom as a saleable product, such as bymeans of carbon dioxide or ethanol extraction.

To further control air flow within the housing and reduce air pressureat the surface of the platform, an air vent 11A comprising a grid screenmay be positioned at the top of, and extend the width of, the back wall11, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, this grid screen may have adepth of between about 5″ to 7″. This air vent draws air from theplatform, neutralizing the air flow generated by the rotating elongatedmembers at the platform.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a vacuum 11B may also beincorporated with an enclosure 11D along the upper end of the back wall.The vacuum suctions flower from the enclosure and the contained space ofthe housing, delivering the flower and airborne particles into acontainer 11C. In some embodiments, the vacuum is a cyclone filtrationvacuum, gently gathering flower and valuable airborne particles,including plant terpenes, essential oils and flavonoids, from theapparatus. The enclosure 11D may have an internal design to encouragethe flower to the vacuum, such as a v-shaped channel. The container maybe or include a bag lined with coffee filter paper or cotton material,or other lined or unlined repository structure, to capture oil andparticles.

As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus may include a conveyor belt system 6below the back of the hooded area (or below a chute incorporated intothe back of the apparatus, as hereinafter described), to which theflower will fall, conveying the flower out of the area into a container.When an extension ramp 21 is included with the apparatus, a conveyorbelt may be positioned beneath the aperture portion of the extensionramp, to receive and transport flower from the apparatus (as shown, forexample, in FIG. 7). Use of a conveyor also facilitates the removal ofany stalks remaining with the flower from the flat surface of theconveyor, wherein by such a configuration the stalk is more visible andcan be easily removed before it is received in the container.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the back of the housing furthercomprises a chute 11E, partially enclosing the back bottom of thehousing and directing the flower to a conveyor or container.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the apparatus may further include one or morecontainers 7 to collect flower, stalk, or both. One of the containersmay be positioned, for example, at the end of the extension ramp 21, toreceive stalks (and possibly flower) traversing the ramp. A containermay likewise be positioned below the extension ramp, to receive flowersfalling through the apertures 211 of the extension ramp. A container mayalso be positioned at the end of the conveyor belt to collect flowerdelivered thereby. Containers suitable for use with the disclosedtechnology may include a simple frame with a removable liner made of,for example, coffee filter paper or cotton fabric.

In operation, the motor supplies rotational energy to the tube 3. Whenthe tube is rotating at a rapid rate (e.g., 8-20 Hz), the elongatedmembers gently brush flowers from plants held between the platform 2 andthe tube 3, and by means of the air flow controlled within the housing,the flower is delivered to the back of the housing where it falls to acontainer, conveyor or otherwise out of the apparatus (or, in someembodiments, may be vacuumed out as hereinabove described). The user mayrotate the plants within the opening to expose other areas of the plantto the elongated members, thereby deflowering the entire harvestedplant. When two tubes are used, the motor (or a pair of motors) suppliesrotational energy to each tube, which rotate at the same rate, andplants are held for deflowering between the rotating tubes.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disclosed technology further provides a methodfor separating plant flower from stalk. In this method, plants arepositioned near one or more lateral rotating tube, the tube(s) having aplurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to and extendingradially outward from the tube, such as the apparatus hereinabovedescribed generally and through embodiments. The tube(s) is(are)rotated, causing the elongated members to brush against the plants,thereby separating the flower from the stalk. Separated flower is thencollected for sale or further processing.

In an embodiment of this method, the tube includes a cylindrical wallaffixed to an axle, with a plurality of apertures extending through thecylindrical wall to receive and secure an end of each of the flexible,elongated members. The elongated members may include a tapered shaft, acollar, a base head, and at least one raised facial surface, such thatin operation the raised facial surface brushes against the plant tocause the flower to separate from the stalk. Each of the apertures inthe cylindrical wall may be sized to removably secure one of theelongated members to the tube, at the collar of the elongated member, sothat the base head of the elongated member extends into a vacuousinterior of the tube, and the tapered shaft of the elongated memberextends outwardly from an outer surface of the tube.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated hi this application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present application or of any further applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more” unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the disclosedtechnology.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

1. A method for separating plant flower from stalk, the methodcomprising positioning plants near a lateral rotating tube, the tubehaving a plurality of flexible, elongated members, each of the elongatedmembers being secured to and extending radially outward from the tube bymeans of an aperture, and wherein each of the elongated memberscomprises a shaft and a base head, wherein the base head secures theelongated member in the aperture of the tube, rotating the tube to causethe elongated members to brush against the plants, thereby separatingthe flower from the stalk, and collecting the flower.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the lateral rotating tube is supported within a housingwhich forms a contained space above and behind the tube.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a back wall, side walls and ahood to direct a flow of flowers after separation from the stalks, andfurther comprises a front wall extending to at least a central axis ofthe tube.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the housing furthercomprises an air vent positioned at the top of the back wall, andextending a width of the back wall.
 5. The method of claim 2, whereinthe hood comprises a curved air shield to direct the flow of flowerswithin the contained space.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thehousing further comprises a void through which flower falls from thehousing.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongated memberscomprise rubber.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising anotherlateral rotating tube having another plurality of elongated memberssecured to and extending radially outward from the second lateralrotating tube, which upon rotation brush against the plants.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising transporting collected flower bymeans of a conveyor system.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising capturing airborne particles separated from the plants as theflower is separated from the stalk.
 11. A method for separating plantflower from stalk, the method comprising positioning plants between afirst lateral rotating tube and a second lateral rotating tube, each ofthe first and second lateral rotating tubes having a plurality offlexible, elongated members, each of the elongated members being securedto and extending radially outward from the respective lateral rotatingtube, rotating the first lateral rotating tube and the second lateralrotating tube to cause the elongated members to brush against theplants, thereby separating the flower from the stalk, and collecting theflower.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a direction of rotation ofthe first lateral rotating tube is opposite to a direction of rotationof the second lateral rotating tube.
 13. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first lateral rotating tube and the second lateral rotating tube aresupported within a housing which forms a contained space above the firstlateral rotating tube, below the second lateral rotating tube, andbehind the first and second lateral rotating tubes.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the housing comprises a back wall, side walls and ahood to direct a flow of flowers after separation from the stalks, andfurther comprises a first front wall extending in front of at least aportion of the first lateral rotating tube and a second front wallextending in front of at least a portion of the second lateral rotatingtube.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprisesone or more curved air shields to direct the flow of flowers within thecontained space.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the housing furthercomprises a void through which flower falls from the housing.
 17. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the elongated members comprise rubber. 18.The method of claim 11, further comprising transporting collected flowerby means of a conveyor system.
 19. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising capturing airborne particles separated from the plants as theflower is separated from the stalk.
 20. The method of claim 11, whereinthe rotation of the first and second lateral rotating tubes are providedby a power system comprising one or more variable frequency drives tofacilitate variable speeds of rotation.
 21. An apparatus for separatingplant flowers from stalks, the apparatus comprising: a rotating tubehaving a plurality of flexible, elongated members affixed to andextending radially outward from the tube; a frame supporting the tube toaccommodate plants held near the tube so that when the tube is rotating,the elongated members affixed thereto brush against the plants and causethe flowers to brush off of and separate from the stalks, wherein theframe further supports a housing to form a contained space, the housingcomprising a back wall, side walls and a hood to direct the flow offlowers after separation from the stalks, the hood extending above andover the tube and having a front wall extending to at least a centralaxis of the tube, and comprises a curved air shield to focus air flowabout the apparatus and direct the flow of flowers; and a power systemcomprising a motor for providing rotational power to the tube.